hands gently but firmly against Lucas's c

d, her voice quiet but steady. "This is a busin

es unreadable. Then he released his tie with one hand, loosening it with a tired, almost absent

them. His arm remained draped over the back of the leather seat

ate," he said, his voice low and even. "Leg

looked like a man who had been running on fumes for days, and she realized with a start that

rd needed to see stability. A wife with a clean background solved your problem. I was convenient." She paused, her f

er the truth. He couldn't tell her that he had been searching for her for two years, that the night in the hotel had not

let her believe what

illusions," he said finally.

en acknowledgment and admiration

r," she said, but there was no

I'm not your keeper. I'm your..." He paused, searching for the right word. "Partner. On paper. That means

s almost a laugh. Almost. "Basi

e my m

bled out, replaced by something quieter. S

coolness on her skin. She flexed her fingers, remembering the careful way he had wrappe

come tonight?" she a

ke, his voice was stripped of its usual armor.

s jaw t

at," he continued. "I stayed on the balcony because th

he cabin. For a fleeting second, she saw something raw beneath

nked, and i

y, Lucas Sterlin

ise,"

who understood each other better than they were willing to admit. Two people who

wly coasted

e have arrived at the apartme

or handle, then paused. Her fingers hovered

she said quietl

od. "Don't make a ha

st smile

It didn't move. The c

w raised. He was adjusting his cuffl

me in," she

the first time." He tilted his hea

head. Her stomach

in a designer shawl, was Eleanor Sinclair. She w

had felt in the car ev

ingers curled into fists against her thighs. He knew she would refuse help. H

ted it. H

sked. The offer was calm, without pr

her jaw. "No.

e simply pressed a button on the armres

id. Not a threat. Not

ement. She stepped out into the freezing wind, pulling his

halfway. His dark eyes tracked her movement, shar

to handle it. But he would be the